Lecture 4

Question 1

Why does the sun radiate energy?

Answer 1

Due to continuous thermonuclear reactions at it’s interior

Question 2

What atoms do the thermonuclear reactions combine?

Answer 2

Hydrogen atoms are combined to form helium

Question 3

What does the lifecycle of a star depend on?

Answer 3

How long its hydrogen reserve lasts

Question 4

How many years are left on the suns lifecycle?

Answer 4

12 billion years

Question 5

Ganymede is the largest natural satellite in the solar system. Which is second?

Answer 5

Moon

Question 6

Which planet is the moon the only natural satellite of?

Answer 6

Earth

Question 7

What does the surface of the moon consist of?

Answer 7

Highlands (terrae) and depressions (marae)

Question 8

What do the craters on the moon symbolize?

Answer 8

Severe meteorite bombardment.

Question 9

Who discovered the terrae and marae of the moon?

Answer 9

Galileo

Question 10

Because the moon has no atmosphere, what does this mean for it’s surface?

Answer 10

No erosion. The surface has remained unchanged since it’s formation (aside from meteorites).

Question 11

What was Apollo 8?

Answer 11

The first mission which revolved around a different celestial body from Earth

Question 12

What are Field craters (moon)?

Answer 12

No difference between the surrounding area and the middle of the crater.

Question 13

What are Empty craters (moon)?

Answer 13

Huge hole in surface of the moon

Question 14

How can we tell which craters (field or empty) are older?

Answer 14

Field ones are older as they had more time to move matter to the surface and fill it in.

Question 15

What do the field craters demonstrate as a property of the moon?

Answer 15

Interior energy transferred as heat. Heat was then lost at a high rate, crust of the moon increased in thickness, making it so any new craters could not be filled in.

Question 16

What was the main improvement made to the Apollo missions?

Answer 16

Gabe them geological training so they could actually take decent samples-Apollo 17 had a geologist.

Question 17

How do we date craters?

Answer 17

With stable isotopes

Question 18

What are basalts?

Answer 18

The most frequent rocks in the solar system

Question 19

How do geologists classify planets?

Answer 19

3-fold

Question 20

What are the 3 classifications of planets?

Answer 20

Terrestrial, Jovian, and Icy

Question 21

What are some characteristics of terrestrial planets?

Answer 21

Small, rocky surface, thin atmosphere, closest to sun, small number of natural satellites, internal source of energy, craters found on surface

Question 22

Which planets are the terrestrial planets?

Answer 22

Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars

Question 23

What is the internal structure of the terrestrial planets?

Answer 23

Core-consists of molten iron (most dominant), and nickle. All have a rocky crust and mantle

Question 24

Which terrestrial planet has the densest craters?

Answer 24

Mercury

Question 25

What created the crators on venus?

Answer 25

Volcanoes.

Question 26

What created the mountains and canyons on Earth and mars?

Answer 26

Water erosion. Mars is currently not covered in water, but has subterranean water. Also has clouds.

Question 27

What are some characteristics of the Jovian planets?

Answer 27

Larger size, gaseous in appearance, thick atmosphere, rings, large number of natural satellites, smaller density than terrestrial planets

Question 28

Which planets are the Jovian planets?

Answer 28

Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune

Question 29

What is the internal structure of the Jovian planets?

Answer 29

Core: Silicate and iron-same size as terrestrial planets. Gases: Hydrogen and helium-get more compressed as you go from surface to core (liquid gas--- solid gas)

Question 30

How many natural satellites does Jupiter currently have?

Answer 30

130

Question 31

What were the 2 moons of Jupiter mentioned in class?

Answer 31

Europa and Io

Question 32

What makes Io so special?

Answer 32

One of the three bodies of the solar system presenting volcanic activity similar to that of Earth (and Triton)

Question 33

What makes Europa so special?

Answer 33

Has a surface of ice-ocean is underneath that layer. Could host primitive life forms.

Question 34

What is Triton?

Answer 34

The largest satellite of Neptune. Has volcanoes that expel frozen hydrocarbons and water.

Question 35

Where are Asteroids situated?

Answer 35

The asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter

Question 36

What is an asteroid?

Answer 36

Small celestial bodies-irregularly shaped, suggesting they are fragments resulting from planetary collisions and explosions. Collide frequently with planets

Question 37

What is the largest asteroid?

Answer 37

Cyrus (1000 km in diameter)

Question 38

Where did asteroids originate (speculation)?

Answer 38

From a planet once orbiting the sun between Mars and Jupiter. Named Phaeton

Question 39

What is a nickname for Asteroids?

Answer 39

"Flying Mountains"

Question 40

The 2 moons of Mars, Deimos and Phobos, are known as possibly being Asteroids. Why?

Answer 40

Due to their irregular shape and the fact that they rotate oppositely from natural satellites.